1950s Hats After Nightfall...

After the natural light outside faded, we were still excited and keen to take more photos, and had a gorgeous vintage telephone and a mirror to play with, so we kept going.

We managed to do a lot better in this artificial light than we expected. The detail of the hats, especially the all black one, don't show up too well, but the overall effect was wonderful.

As a lover of the slightly-creepy, I was very inspired by these images. Although I don't care for all-out horror, especially gory things, I love things that are subtly unnerving and shiver-inducing. I read old ghost stories and classic murder mysteries, and I'm slowly working my way through Hitchcock movies.

As we took photos, stories started to unfold. Each photo inspires me with multiple ideas. Is this a grieving widow adjusting her veil, or a sorcerous witch about to raise her eyes and weave a curse?

They feel like stills from a thriller movie. Does she still have time to call for help at this point, or has she left it too late?

Taking these mirror shots was fun and fascinating. I had a go at taking photos in this shoot, and the camera would sometimes focus on the reflection, and sometimes on the real person. Most of these successful shots were taken by Mel, with me styling and directing from the sidelines.

I love everything about this shot. The wing-like shadows from the mirror, the perfectly frozen moment in time and the intense look on her face. I'm pretty sure her reflection means her harm.

We also got the red velvet hat into the action. I love how beautifully the front and back detail can be seen at once in this shot, and the tight grip of the gloves on the phone.

While editing these (I use picmonkey) I couldn't resist playing with effects, including some from their various Halloween themes.

Is Dee shocked at discovering that Mel has been listening to her conversation, or has she just heard something that will upset their plans and is silently conveying this?

I'm pretty sure this is a poster for a movie about two sisters, but I don't know if they are in it together, or if it is about the evil sister plotting against the other.

Here is the black hat in the daylight, where you can see the detail better. It is covered in ruffled black velvet, with a full-face black honeycomb veil and a dangling chain and pendant on the left side, which drops lower and further forward than the other side.

We enjoyed this so much that we are planning to do a thriller/film noir/Hitchcock inspired shoot again. I've started a Pinterest board for photoshoot ideas if you are interested. I'd love to hear any ideas for spooky photos that you might have.